A Balanced Vegetarian Diet for Toddlers

If your family is vegetarian, you need to be careful to serve balanced meals. Toddlers need lots of nutrients for their busy, growing bodies, and unless you take special precautions, your child may not get enough of the following:

Minerals

B vitamins

Iron

Calcium (in the case of a vegan diet)

Egg yolks and dark green vegetables are good sources of iron, and whole grains offer B vitamins. Also, young children need more calories from fat than older children and adults do. To make sure your child is getting everything he needs, you might want to consult a nutritionist. Your healthcare provider can probably suggest one.

Helpful hint: Make a child-friendly trail mix bag with cereal bits, unsalted bagel chips, raisins, and pieces of dried fruit. Try not to include nuts as they're a choking hazard (raisins are okay because they're softer and dissolve more easily). Remember to have your child sit while he's eating, even when you're on the go.